Anonymous Donor Kicks In $4725 And Six Sections Of Air Fence It Is!

An anonymous donor has kicked in another $4725 to our Air Fence fund and made it six beautiful 30-foot sections to protect our racers from hitting solid walls and embankments at AMA Nationals.

That's $17,400 raised in 24 hours, plus another $250 personal donation from Al Ludington, who works for Team Kawasaki with Eric Bostrom. Ludington's personal donation should in no way be considered an endorsement of this project by his employers, who have not yet seen fit to contribute. New total: $17,650.

No one who saw the TV footage of Grant Lopez hitting a concrete wall during the 1999 AMA National at Phoenix International Raceway, or watched the helicopter carry him away, or saw the look on the faces of his mother and sister, needs us to explain why we are doing this.

It is a shame that AMA Pro Racing has its collective head so far up its collective ass that individual racers, mechanics, parents of racers, race team owners, enthusiasts and fans have to collect the money to buy the Air Fence so urgently needed, but if that's the way it is, it's still worth the effort to not have to watch another rider air-lifted away after hitting a bare wall.

To pledge a contribution, call Roadracing World at (800) 464-8336 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, when operators will be standing by. Credit cards accepted.

Pledges can also be made by e-mailing custsvc@roadracingworld.com

Readers should feel free to call their parts, tire and accessory suppliers and urge them to make a contribution to improve safety conditions for AMA racers. For that matter, contact local dealers and ask them to encourage their OEMs to contribute.

For background information, see Time To Take Back The AMA post from Tuesday morning.